Antique grandfather clocks for sale

About The Chimes UK and our Antique Grandfather clocks for sale in the UK

The Chimes UK sells some of the best Antique Grandfather clocks for sale in the UK. We were established in 1984 and have a wealth of experience when it comes to dealing and selling some of the best Antique Grandfather Clocks sold in the UK.

We at The Chimes UK only deal in genuine UK Antique Grandfather Clocks for sale and unlike many furniture or antique shops we will not have any clocks that could be married off, in other words, two clocks to make one clock. We pride ourselves in a vast selection of genuine Antique Grandfather clocks for sale in the UK and all our UK Antique Grandfather clocks for sale are fully serviced and carry a 12 month warranty and we deliver all our Antique Grandfather clocks for sale in the UK personally to the customer and set them up in the UK.

What is an Antique Grandfather Clock?

Antique Grandfather or Grandfather clock is the slang name given to Longcase clocks.

As in the famous Song "My Grandfathers Clock was too tall for the Shelf so it stood Ninety years on the Floor".

Grandfather or Longcase Clocks appeared in the UK around 1650, and were very popular throughout the World until 1850.

The London Clocks or provincial Longcase clocks were regarded by many as the "BEST".

This is not strictly the case as many fine examples of Grandfather or Longcase clocks were found in other towns by good quality makers, but the rule of thumb was always the London clocks and clockmakers were the Creme de la Creme. Hence the famous Clockmakers Company in London. This was the top Club/institution for eminent makers.

Early Longcase clocks were often single hand clocks and ran for 30 hours duration but the better Grandfather Clocks were usually 8 Day Duration with two hands, however fine examples of excellent craftsmanship often applied to 30 hour examples with one or two hands. All Longcase or Antique Grandfather clocks as a rule used to strike on the hour by means of a small hammer hitting a bell above the movement of the clock. Some Grandfather Clocks, normally very expensive, used to run for 1 month duration and were housed in fine walnut cases.

Over the years Longcase clocks had both brass and painted dials and were housed in several fine types of wooden case, such as Ebonised (Black) pine,walnut, oak, mahogany.

Painted Dial Longcase clocks were popular from about 1795 to 1850. And Brass Dial Longcase clocks from 1650 to 1795.

Early Grandfather or Longcase clocks made in the province were also housed in fine marquetry cases and lacquered cases of red, green, black with gold painted features and Oriental scenes. Many Longcase or Grandfather clocks had features in the Dials such as rolling Moons or Phases of the Moon, seconds dials, date calendar and so on, also Brass Dials had magnificent engraving and painted dials had beautiful scenes and landscapes of people or animals.

Also features known as Automation were often seen in the Arch of a dial like a "rocking Ship" or moving eyes on a face or animal and so on. Some Longcase clocks have Square Dials and some have arched dials.

The variety of Longcase or Grandfather clocks over its two Centuries was vast with many different styles to suit many different tastes.

Come and view our Antique Grandfather clocks for sale in the UK

If you're interested in viewing & buying some of the best Antique Grandfather clocks for sale in the UK at The Chimes UK then please visit our showroom which is open 7 days by prior appointment only, at Whaley Bridge, Derbyshire, England, UK.

Otherwise you can view our large range of Antique Grandfather clocks for sale in the UK on our website and buy direct from us. We will not be beaten on price, quality or service for any of our Antique Grandfather clocks we sell.